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James Madison University

James Madison University is a public campus in Harrisonburg proper — federal locale codes class it as urban.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$10,582
family income
under $30k
$12,172
$30–48k
$17,150
$48–75k
$23,171
$75–110k
$28,869
over $110k

Average net price

$23,3222023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$16k$18k$20k$22k$24k200820232008: $15,6082009: $15,9192010: $16,1692011: $16,5792012: $17,9242013: $18,4122014: $19,6692015: $20,0362016: $20,2042017: $21,2812018: $22,1692019: $22,5622020: $22,4312021: $22,4652022: $21,8162023: $23,322$23,322
$15k$18k$20k$23k200820232008: $15,6082009: $15,9192010: $16,1692011: $16,5792012: $17,9242013: $18,4122014: $19,6692015: $20,0362016: $20,2042017: $21,2812018: $22,1692019: $22,5622020: $22,4312021: $22,4652022: $21,8162023: $23,322$23,322

Average net price at James Madison University rose from $15,608 (2008) to $23,322 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$15,608
2009$15,919
2010$16,169
2011$16,579
2012$17,924
2013$18,412
2014$19,669
2015$20,036
2016$20,204
2017$21,281
2018$22,169
2019$22,562
2020$22,431
2021$22,465
2022$21,816
2023$23,322
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$31,7352024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$20k$25k$30k200920242009: $18,7022010: $19,3022011: $20,3402012: $21,1302013: $21,9802014: $22,6012015: $23,9352016: $24,5132017: $24,7502018: $26,0072019: $27,2212020: $27,9962021: $28,5452022: $29,0432023: $30,2132024: $31,735$31,735
$20k$25k$30k200920242009: $18,7022010: $19,3022011: $20,3402012: $21,1302013: $21,9802014: $22,6012015: $23,9352016: $24,5132017: $24,7502018: $26,0072019: $27,2212020: $27,9962021: $28,5452022: $29,0432023: $30,2132024: $31,735$31,735

Total cost at James Madison University rose from $18,702 (2009) to $31,735 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$18,702
2010$19,302
2011$20,340
2012$21,130
2013$21,980
2014$22,601
2015$23,935
2016$24,513
2017$24,750
2018$26,007
2019$27,221
2020$27,996
2021$28,545
2022$29,043
2023$30,213
2024$31,735
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state
$10k$20k$30k200020232000: $4,0002001: $4,0942002: $4,2882003: $5,0582004: $5,4762005: $5,8862006: $6,2902007: $6,6662008: $6,9642013: $9,1762014: $9,6622015: $10,0182016: $10,3902017: $10,8302018: $12,0162019: $12,2062020: $12,3302021: $12,6382022: $13,0922023: $13,576$13,576 in2000: $9,8502001: $10,6062002: $11,4722003: $13,2802004: $14,4202005: $15,3222006: $16,2362007: $17,3862008: $18,4582013: $23,6542014: $24,5222015: $25,1522016: $26,1642017: $27,2302018: $28,4162019: $29,1062020: $29,2302021: $29,5642022: $30,1522023: $30,790$30,790 out
$10k$20k$30k200020232000: $4,0002001: $4,0942002: $4,2882003: $5,0582004: $5,4762005: $5,8862006: $6,2902007: $6,6662008: $6,9642013: $9,1762014: $9,6622015: $10,0182016: $10,3902017: $10,8302018: $12,0162019: $12,2062020: $12,3302021: $12,6382022: $13,0922023: $13,576$13,576 in2000: $9,8502001: $10,6062002: $11,4722003: $13,2802004: $14,4202005: $15,3222006: $16,2362007: $17,3862008: $18,4582013: $23,6542014: $24,5222015: $25,1522016: $26,1642017: $27,2302018: $28,4162019: $29,1062020: $29,2302021: $29,5642022: $30,1522023: $30,790$30,790 out

Tuition — data
YearIn-stateOut-of-state
2000$4,000$9,850
2001$4,094$10,606
2002$4,288$11,472
2003$5,058$13,280
2004$5,476$14,420
2005$5,886$15,322
2006$6,290$16,236
2007$6,666$17,386
2008$6,964$18,458
2013$9,176$23,654
2014$9,662$24,522
2015$10,018$25,152
2016$10,390$26,164
2017$10,830$27,230
2018$12,016$28,416
2019$12,206$29,106
2020$12,330$29,230
2021$12,638$29,564
2022$13,092$30,152
2023$13,576$30,790
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

James Madison University reports tuition of $14,250 for in-state students and $31,604 for out-of-state students. Check James Madison University’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

James Madison University is a big school: 20,888 undergraduates at last count.

79.7% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at James Madison University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
79.7%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

78%80%82%84%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 81.3%entered 1992: 79.8%entered 1993: 78.6%entered 1994: 79.7%entered 1995: 79.8%entered 1996: 78.3%entered 1997: 79.9%entered 1998: 80%entered 1999: 79.7%entered 2000: 79.8%entered 2001: 81.2%entered 2002: 82.4%entered 2003: 81.3%entered 2004: 82.5%entered 2005: 81.4%entered 2006: 80.1%entered 2007: 81.5%entered 2008: 82.4%entered 2009: 82.7%entered 2010: 81.9%entered 2011: 82.6%entered 2012: 83.9%entered 2013: 84.2%entered 2014: 82.3%entered 2015: 81.8%entered 2016: 81.2%entered 2017: 80.9%entered 2018: 79.7%79.7%
78%80%82%84%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 81.3%entered 1992: 79.8%entered 1993: 78.6%entered 1994: 79.7%entered 1995: 79.8%entered 1996: 78.3%entered 1997: 79.9%entered 1998: 80%entered 1999: 79.7%entered 2000: 79.8%entered 2001: 81.2%entered 2002: 82.4%entered 2003: 81.3%entered 2004: 82.5%entered 2005: 81.4%entered 2006: 80.1%entered 2007: 81.5%entered 2008: 82.4%entered 2009: 82.7%entered 2010: 81.9%entered 2011: 82.6%entered 2012: 83.9%entered 2013: 84.2%entered 2014: 82.3%entered 2015: 81.8%entered 2016: 81.2%entered 2017: 80.9%entered 2018: 79.7%79.7%

The six-year graduation rate at James Madison University has held near 79.7% from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort81.3%
1992 cohort79.8%
1993 cohort78.6%
1994 cohort79.7%
1995 cohort79.8%
1996 cohort78.3%
1997 cohort79.9%
1998 cohort80%
1999 cohort79.7%
2000 cohort79.8%
2001 cohort81.2%
2002 cohort82.4%
2003 cohort81.3%
2004 cohort82.5%
2005 cohort81.4%
2006 cohort80.1%
2007 cohort81.5%
2008 cohort82.4%
2009 cohort82.7%
2010 cohort81.9%
2011 cohort82.6%
2012 cohort83.9%
2013 cohort84.2%
2014 cohort82.3%
2015 cohort81.8%
2016 cohort81.2%
2017 cohort80.9%
2018 cohort79.7%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$5k$10k$15k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $13,000Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $13,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $13,444Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,079Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $15,000Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $16,625Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $18,607Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $20,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $20,767Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $20,685Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $20,093$20,093 completedLeft school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $10,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $8,699Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $4,781Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $9,000Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $8,264Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $6,385Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $8,250$8,250 left
$5k$10k$15k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $13,000Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $13,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $13,444Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,079Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $15,000Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $16,625Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $18,607Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $20,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $20,767Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $20,685Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $20,093$20,093 completedLeft school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $10,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $8,699Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $4,781Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $9,000Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $8,264Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $6,385Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $8,250$8,250 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$11,625$10,625
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$13,000$8,699
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$13,500$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$13,444$4,781
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$14,079$9,000
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$14,500$8,264
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$15,000$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$16,625$6,385
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$18,607$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$20,000$8,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$20,500$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$20,500$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$20,767$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$20,500$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$20,500$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$20,685$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$20,500$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$20,093$8,250
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$57,438
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$64,070
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$69,954
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

James Madison University admitted 27,482 of 38,428 applicants in Fall 2024. The 71.5% rate describes that application pool.

71.5%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$13,576 in-state tuition · 2023–2420,888 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1170–13401600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, James Madison University received 38,428 applications and admitted 27,482 (71.5%), with 4,990 enrolling.

James Madison University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For James Madison University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 600–680 and Math was 570–660 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1170–1340 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing600640680
SAT Math570610660
ACT Composite242729

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

71.5%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

60%70%80%200120242001: 64.2%2002: 64.3%2003: 57.9%2004: 62.5%2005: 63.1%2006: 67.7%2007: 62.7%2008: 63.5%2009: 65.1%2010: 61.4%2011: 59.9%2012: 61.3%2013: 63.6%2014: 65.7%2015: 72.6%2016: 72.1%2017: 75.2%2018: 71.1%2019: 76.8%2020: 80.5%2021: 86.3%2022: 78.3%2023: 76.3%2024: 71.5%71.5%
60%70%80%200120242001: 64.2%2002: 64.3%2003: 57.9%2004: 62.5%2005: 63.1%2006: 67.7%2007: 62.7%2008: 63.5%2009: 65.1%2010: 61.4%2011: 59.9%2012: 61.3%2013: 63.6%2014: 65.7%2015: 72.6%2016: 72.1%2017: 75.2%2018: 71.1%2019: 76.8%2020: 80.5%2021: 86.3%2022: 78.3%2023: 76.3%2024: 71.5%71.5%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200164.2%
Fall 200264.3%
Fall 200357.9%
Fall 200462.5%
Fall 200563.1%
Fall 200667.7%
Fall 200762.7%
Fall 200863.5%
Fall 200965.1%
Fall 201061.4%
Fall 201159.9%
Fall 201261.3%
Fall 201363.6%
Fall 201465.7%
Fall 201572.6%
Fall 201672.1%
Fall 201775.2%
Fall 201871.1%
Fall 201976.8%
Fall 202080.5%
Fall 202186.3%
Fall 202278.3%
Fall 202376.3%
Fall 202471.5%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1170–1340Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA10001100120013002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 10902002: 10802003: 10802004: 10802005: 10702006: 10702007: 10502008: 10502009: 10602010: 10502011: 10902012: 10502013: 10502014: 10502015: 10402016: 10302017: 11002018: 11202019: 11202020: 11202021: 11402022: 11402023: 11702024: 117011702001: 12502002: 12502003: 12502004: 12502005: 12502006: 12502007: 12302008: 12302009: 12502010: 12402011: 12902012: 12402013: 12502014: 12302015: 12202016: 12202017: 12602018: 12902019: 12902020: 12802021: 13102022: 13202023: 13202024: 13401340
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA10001100120013002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 10902002: 10802003: 10802004: 10802005: 10702006: 10702007: 10502008: 10502009: 10602010: 10502011: 10902012: 10502013: 10502014: 10502015: 10402016: 10302017: 11002018: 11202019: 11202020: 11202021: 11402022: 11402023: 11702024: 117011702001: 12502002: 12502003: 12502004: 12502005: 12502006: 12502007: 12302008: 12302009: 12502010: 12402011: 12902012: 12402013: 12502014: 12302015: 12202016: 12202017: 12602018: 12902019: 12902020: 12802021: 13102022: 13202023: 13202024: 13401340

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200110901250
Fall 200210801250
Fall 200310801250
Fall 200410801250
Fall 200510701250
Fall 200610701250
Fall 200710501230
Fall 200810501230
Fall 200910601250
Fall 201010501240
Fall 201110901290
Fall 201210501240
Fall 201310501250
Fall 201410501230
Fall 201510401220
Fall 201610301220
Fall 201711001260
Fall 201811201290
Fall 201911201290
Fall 202011201280
Fall 202111401310
Fall 202211401320
Fall 202311701320
Fall 202411701340
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

24–29Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA22242628200220242002: 212004: 222005: 222006: 212007: 212008: 222009: 222010: 222011: 232012: 232013: 232014: 252015: 232016: 222017: 232018: 232019: 232020: 232021: 242022: 232023: 252024: 24242002: 262004: 262005: 262006: 262007: 262008: 262009: 262010: 272011: 272012: 272013: 272014: 272015: 272016: 272017: 282018: 282019: 282020: 282021: 292022: 292023: 292024: 2929
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA25200220242002: 212004: 222005: 222006: 212007: 212008: 222009: 222010: 222011: 232012: 232013: 232014: 252015: 232016: 222017: 232018: 232019: 232020: 232021: 242022: 232023: 252024: 24242002: 262004: 262005: 262006: 262007: 262008: 262009: 262010: 272011: 272012: 272013: 272014: 272015: 272016: 272017: 282018: 282019: 282020: 282021: 292022: 292023: 292024: 2929

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20022126
Fall 20042226
Fall 20052226
Fall 20062126
Fall 20072126
Fall 20082226
Fall 20092226
Fall 20102227
Fall 20112327
Fall 20122327
Fall 20132327
Fall 20142527
Fall 20152327
Fall 20162227
Fall 20172328
Fall 20182328
Fall 20192328
Fall 20202328
Fall 20212429
Fall 20222329
Fall 20232529
Fall 20242429
IPEDS Fall 2002–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

20,888Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

14k16k18k20k200220242002: 14,4032003: 14,6852004: 14,6772005: 15,2872006: 15,6532007: 16,1082008: 16,6482009: 16,9792010: 17,3062011: 17,5752012: 17,8742013: 18,1272014: 18,6972015: 19,0192016: 19,2622017: 19,6662018: 19,6792019: 19,6552020: 19,5502021: 19,7432022: 19,9682023: 20,4972024: 20,88820,888
14k16k18k20k200220242002: 14,4032003: 14,6852004: 14,6772005: 15,2872006: 15,6532007: 16,1082008: 16,6482009: 16,9792010: 17,3062011: 17,5752012: 17,8742013: 18,1272014: 18,6972015: 19,0192016: 19,2622017: 19,6662018: 19,6792019: 19,6552020: 19,5502021: 19,7432022: 19,9682023: 20,4972024: 20,88820,888

Undergraduate enrollment at James Madison University rose from 14,403 (Fall 2002) to 20,888 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 200214,403
Fall 200314,685
Fall 200414,677
Fall 200515,287
Fall 200615,653
Fall 200716,108
Fall 200816,648
Fall 200916,979
Fall 201017,306
Fall 201117,575
Fall 201217,874
Fall 201318,127
Fall 201418,697
Fall 201519,019
Fall 201619,262
Fall 201719,666
Fall 201819,679
Fall 201919,655
Fall 202019,550
Fall 202119,743
Fall 202219,968
Fall 202320,497
Fall 202420,888
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

92%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

89%90%91%92%200220232002: 92%2003: 91%2004: 91%2005: 92%2006: 91%2007: 91%2008: 92%2009: 91%2010: 91%2011: 91%2012: 92%2013: 92%2014: 91%2015: 91%2016: 90%2017: 90%2018: 89%2019: 89%2020: 91%2021: 89%2022: 90%2023: 92%92%
89%90%91%92%200220232002: 92%2003: 91%2004: 91%2005: 92%2006: 91%2007: 91%2008: 92%2009: 91%2010: 91%2011: 91%2012: 92%2013: 92%2014: 91%2015: 91%2016: 90%2017: 90%2018: 89%2019: 89%2020: 91%2021: 89%2022: 90%2023: 92%92%

First-year retention at James Madison University has held near 92% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort92%
Fall 2003 cohort91%
Fall 2004 cohort91%
Fall 2005 cohort92%
Fall 2006 cohort91%
Fall 2007 cohort91%
Fall 2008 cohort92%
Fall 2009 cohort91%
Fall 2010 cohort91%
Fall 2011 cohort91%
Fall 2012 cohort92%
Fall 2013 cohort92%
Fall 2014 cohort91%
Fall 2015 cohort91%
Fall 2016 cohort90%
Fall 2017 cohort90%
Fall 2018 cohort89%
Fall 2019 cohort89%
Fall 2020 cohort91%
Fall 2021 cohort89%
Fall 2022 cohort90%
Fall 2023 cohort92%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about James Madison University

17.1% of James Madison University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes James Madison University as a primarily residential campus of 20,888 undergraduates — and 92% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

James Madison University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1170–1340 — their midpoint is above the VA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on James Madison University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
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Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How James Madison University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

James Madison University71.5%
Virginia median79.8%
National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

James Madison University$14,250
Virginia median$21,650
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

James Madison University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

James Madison University$69,954
Virginia median$53,453
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
James Madison University, Virginia and national reference values
Metric & basisJames Madison UniversityVirginia medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS71.5%79.8%76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$14,250$21,650$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$69,954$53,453$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For James Madison University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

James Madison University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 42 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Information Science/Studies$113,345
Finance and Financial Management Services$104,926
Computer and Information Sciences, General$104,806
Accounting and Related Services$98,767
Engineering, General$91,761
International Business$91,141
Systems Science and Theory$91,034
Marketing$89,944
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$87,056
Economics$86,681
Business Administration, Management and Operations$85,137
Science, Technology and Society$82,455
Health and Medical Administrative Services$77,393
Mathematics$75,295
Chemistry$74,631
Political Science and Government$73,326
Public Administration$71,626
International Relations and National Security Studies$68,798
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$67,033
Communication and Media Studies$66,436
Biotechnology$65,893
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$65,770
Hospitality Administration/Management$65,016
Geography and Cartography$63,768
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$63,065
Biology, General$62,914
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services$62,366
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies$61,496
Anthropology$60,841
Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other$59,604
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services$59,501
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$58,026
English Language and Literature, General$57,487
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$57,179
Psychology, General$56,212
History$55,782
Fine and Studio Arts$54,093
Social Work$52,991
Music$51,882
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$51,500
Sociology$48,774
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$45,225

These 42 fields listed for James Madison University measure earnings after completion. The $69,954 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 7 additional James Madison University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does James Madison University report?

James Madison University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1170–1340 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is James Madison University's acceptance rate?

71.5% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 27,482 admitted from 38,428 applicants.

How much does James Madison University cost?

In-state tuition is $14,250; out-of-state students pay $31,604. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does James Madison University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $69,954. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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